Page 90 of Court of Winter
The two males in red moved forward just enough to hear us but back enough that they remained discreet. When they stopped at Lord Crimsonale’s side, my eyes widened.
The Osaravee archon watched me from the crowd, his expression shrewd.
I whipped back around as the prince said, “This is Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory.”
I brought my fist to my chest and curtsied again, my entire body dipping while I held onto the prince with my other hand. My knees were shaking so badly now I feared I would fall if I let go.
“Not of noble birth yet beautiful enough to be a princess.” King Novakin was smiling when I straightened, and the tight ball that had become my stomach loosened, if only a little. “And what brings you to the Court of Winter, Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory?”
My lips parted, but the prince bit out. “Might we have a word in private, Father?”
King Novakin raised an eyebrow, then waved his hand toward the guards at the door. They opened the ice doors with a flourish.
Nothing else was said. All of the nobles filed out of the throne room, as though used to being dismissed with a wave of the king’s hand even if they were in the middle of a ball.
Once the room was empty, save for the guards at the door who were far enough away that they probably couldn’t hear us, Prince Norivun said, “I believe Ilara is the key to the problem I’ve been dealing with.”
The king sighed. “Ah yes, theproblem.”
I frowned at the king’s superfluous tone as the prince replied, “Ilara’s affinity has manifested, and she can createorem.”
The king’s features sharpened, and he looked me over a second time. “Impossible. Only the gods can createorem.”
“Then perhaps she’s a goddess,” his son replied dryly.
The king’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your tongue, Norivun.”
The prince’s lips thinned. “I know you have your doubts about my concerns, but since Ilara can restore our land’sorem, such squabbles will ultimately become trivial as she works to replenish what’s vanished.”
The king drummed his fingers. “How can you be so certain of her magic? I’ve never heard of such an affinity.”
“Because I’ve witnessed it firsthand.”
“You did? Where did such an event occur?”
“She replenished the courtyard outside of the Exorbiant Chamber.”
His drumming fingers stopped. “You’re jesting.”
“I’m not. It’s been done. You may see for yourself. I wouldn’t be guarding her in my wing if I wasn’t sure. She’s a very valuable asset. She must be protected.”
I turned questioning eyes on the prince.An asset? A fairy with value?
Was that truly all he thought I was? A possession? Nothing more? Nothing less?
Blood rushed up my neck, heating my skin, but I kept my lips closed and didn’t utter a sound. Maybe I was overreacting.
Or maybe I wasn’t.
The prince’s fingers curled into my spine as the king laughed, the sound loud and joyful.
“So this is who you’ve been hiding away.” The king’s laugh paused. “And all week I’ve been assuming she was your new courtesan and you were simply bedding her, or are you doing that too?”
My breath sucked in, and the prince’s hand curved around my waist more, as though he knew I was about to pull away.
“Far from it,” the prince replied. “She’d sooner stab me through the heart than welcome me to her bed.” When the king frowned in confusion, Prince Norivun added, “Her brother and parents fell at my hand last season. They were of the dozen that were stirring unrest about the crops.”
“Ah, they were some of the fae who wanted to create chaos and strife about theproblem?” The king shrugged, as though he and the prince discussing my murdered family and private sex life were completely trivial.